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Originally Posted by ConstantRider
(Post 7028994)
Caroline,
Before you decided on the Mongoose/Wal-Mart, did you visit any local bike shops and test-ride any of their bikes? You won't find new $125 bikes in bike shops, but there are an increasing number of bikes in the $300 - $400 range. (For example, the Jamis Commuter, the Kona Smoke, the KHS Urban.) If you add in cruisers and sale bikes, you can probably find new bike shop bikes in the $200 - $300 range. Ultimately, the question is: Do those bikes feel appreciably different than the Mongoose? Do they brake better, shift smoother, seem more solidly constructed? If they do, maybe it's worth spending the extra cash to get one. If they don't, go with the Mongoose. Since it's only $125, you could probably upgrade the brakes, rear derailleur, and various other components with parts that are better than what are spec'ed on most of the $300 - $400 bikes, and still finish with a cheaper overall price. (Providing you do the labor yourself, or ask your neighbor to do it for you.) Lowrider bicycle for sale - $350 This is a metalic green lowrider bicycle, it has green swirl velour banana seat, twisted sissy bar, twisted springer fork, side mirrors, fenders and lights, and 144 spoke chrome wheels, with lowrider whitewalls. Anything else u wanna know just ask me.. Hope to hear from you soon, thanks and have a great day... http://images.craigslist.org/0101030...038b00dac7.jpg |
Originally Posted by Large Filipino
(Post 7027362)
Those that buy less than quality bikes are usually mechanically inclined or know of one that is. About the only thing about bike mechanics I've tried and tried again and simply cannot do is to true a wheel. Other than that I can make any and all adjustments a bike needs. This is from when I was but a child and I had no choice but to fix my bike or I would be walking.
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Originally Posted by rando
(Post 7028977)
has anyone told the OP to try out the bike first and see if it fits her?
:innocent: |
Originally Posted by EatMyA**
(Post 7029621)
No that makes too much sense.
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Originally Posted by Longfemur
(Post 7027550)
You can rationalize it all you like, but trust me, those who are truly "mechanically-inclined" aren't buying big box store bikes. These bikes are garbage to work on. Even if you are learning bicycle mechanics, you couldn't pick a worse bike than this to learn on. I don't know how anyone can defend buying a crap bike when there are perfectly good ones in bike shops that won't cost very much more. They will be heavy of course, and they won't have higher end components, but they will still be good quality, solid bikes.
Those of us who know a little about bikes are only trying to save you money and trouble in the longer term. Geez, if you have to buy a Walmart bike, you would be better off waiting until the next police auction to get an older name-brand bike. Caroline, be sure to keep us updated. |
I was joking. three or four people already said to make sure the bike fits her. I was just adding to the "fun".
gotta pick a better smiley next time. |
Originally Posted by rando
(Post 7030395)
I was joking. three or four people already said to make sure the bike fits her. I was just adding to the "fun".
gotta pick a better smiley next time. |
Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
(Post 7016142)
Looks good to me. A good starter bike.
It has good reviews. Go get and Ride. |
Originally Posted by wgaynor
(Post 7029400)
I went to walmart and bought a Mountain Bike for $49.00. It was the best experience I ever had. It made me curious about how to go faster and how to make my commute easier.
So yes a big box discount bike can be a path into cycling. But as you look at how many big box discount bikes end up gathering dust in a garage, it's obvious that it also can be a turn-off for quite a few people who give up on bicycling before they really get started. I think that is what dismays veteran bicyclists. |
Originally Posted by Artkansas
(Post 7030612)
My first 10-speed was a $50.00 Royce Union from Zayres(a pre-walmart big box discount store) in High School. Within 6 months every screw on the bike had stripped.
When I worked in a bike shop thirty years ago, many bikes were brought in with stripped out cotter pins on their cranks. These were on quality name brand bikes (Raleigh) not k-mart bikes. The owners never checked or retightened the fasteners until the parts were ready to fall off, and all tore up. I can't blame the bike for that. Yes, cheap bikes often have lower quality fasteners, but it is not really that hard to check and properly retighten them once in a while. |
Buy used. You'll get to heaven sooner.
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Originally Posted by caroline162
(Post 7027693)
Not sure who that response was intended for, but I do have a question.... I'm curious what bicycle at a bike shop you are referring to. I haven't hear any suggestion yet for a "perfectly good" bike in my price range, so if you have a suggestion, please do share! I can always return my Walmart bike if someone finds a better option for me. I have a feeling our definitions of "not very much more" are different :)
$239 That's probably the lowest you'll find at a bike shop as well. That's pretty bottom end for bike shop bikes. However, if you have even mid sized hills this bike is a baaaad choice; especially for a beginner. http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...dtail/820/820/ $329 http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...explorer1.html $300 This is really the bottom range you'll find in an all new LBS. But it's a good range to shoot for. Very affordable if you're going to put it to use. Expensive if it's just a toy. |
Maybe I'm different, but everything I buy from China, cheap, breaks under normal use within the first couple weeks. THis is kitchen/hardware/garden/clothes. I just go without if it means buying Chinese, and frequently it does mean going without.
I grew up in the sixties when Japanese stuff was the same way. Chinese stuff will come around, but in the mean time it's useless garbage. Spend a couple Saturdays at garage sales-for $100 bucks you should be able to get three or four bikes and one of them is bound to be better than a Walmart pc of crap. Nothing will turn you off biking faster than being stranded. |
Originally Posted by sciencemonster
(Post 7031692)
I just go without if it means buying Chinese, and frequently it does mean going without.
you must have very little possessions. and a really high end road bike. :innocent: |
Originally Posted by sciencemonster
(Post 7031692)
Maybe I'm different, but everything I buy from China, cheap, breaks under normal use within the first couple weeks. THis is kitchen/hardware/garden/clothes. I just go without if it means buying Chinese, and frequently it does mean going without.
I grew up in the sixties when Japanese stuff was the same way. Chinese stuff will come around, but in the mean time it's useless garbage. Spend a couple Saturdays at garage sales-for $100 bucks you should be able to get three or four bikes and one of them is bound to be better than a Walmart pc of crap. Nothing will turn you off biking faster than being stranded. Aaron:) |
Ugh, darn posting problems
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ugh
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will try tomorrow
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Originally Posted by njkayaker
(Post 7016603)
If you are really strapped for cash, you could probably find an equivalent bike (maybe, even better) for less money than the new Walmart bike.
! Look at your local craigslist or look through the local garage/yard sales. You can most likeley find a better-quality bike than said xmart bike, for less money. Most yardsale bikes of good quality are $30 or less, and I've never seen anyone sell a used bike at a yard sale for over $50. Bring your friend along to be able to spot the good ones vs the used x-mart specials. Personally, I'd trust a quality used bike from the '70's than a new x-mart special that's a POS to begin with. |
Well, for some reason I am unable to make a post that is more than a few sentences. I have made a web page with what the post would have been. If you are interested in reading it, here is the URL:
Bike Forum Post |
Originally Posted by Podolak
(Post 7039807)
If you are interested in reading it, here is the URL:
Brooks saddles are expensive now, from $90, almost the price of the bike. Usually, when you buy a relatively old used bike, you buy mostly a frame. Newer used bikes usually cost as much as new ones. If you want to make a used bike ridable, you'll have to spent a lot of time cleaning, lubing, adjusting, truing the wheels, fighting rust, etc. Most components in it will be outdated; which means they will be hardly obtainable. Nevertheless, you'll have to change the brake pads, chain, tubes, cables, housing, etc... Its derailleurs and shifters won't be much better than the cheap Shimano and SRAM ones from the Walmart bike. |
Originally Posted by Barabaika
(Post 7040555)
Newer used bikes usually cost as much as new ones.
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Originally Posted by JeffS
(Post 7040671)
I strongly disagree. My used bikes have cost no more than 60% of the new price, generally less. My reference is in the > $1000 when new category though.
A new bike in the >$1000 range will be plastic. I don't trust in plastic. I'll buy it for the price of components minus frame. |
Originally Posted by darkfinger
(Post 7016161)
Walmart bikes are built shoddily, put together by people who could care less if the rear derailleur hits all the gears (I know this for a fact as I worked briefly at a large box store as a bicycle assembler and I was the only person in the store that could tune a derailleur, and I used to get into trouble for spending more time then everyone else on the bikes), the rims are usually warped right out of the box, the welds look terrible (on most) and the components are the lowest grade junk that they can get their hands on.
If you really want to give biking a shot I highly recommend picking up an old cruiser. Most come with racks and fenders, have components that probably won`t fail as quickly as the new plastic crap that comes out of box stores, and with a little elbow grease and a rattle can paint job will last you for years and years and years, or at least until you decide whether or not biking is for you. The other plus side to this is that you`re giving a perfectly serviceable old bike a second life, plus you`ll have a way more unique ride than the Wally world special. That`s just my opinion though, I`m sure there are several people here who have ridden Huffy`s for 20 years and find them to work great... |
Originally Posted by sciencemonster
(Post 7031692)
Maybe I'm different, but everything I buy from China, cheap, breaks under normal use within the first couple weeks. THis is kitchen/hardware/garden/clothes. I just go without if it means buying Chinese, and frequently it does mean going without.
I grew up in the sixties when Japanese stuff was the same way. Chinese stuff will come around, but in the mean time it's useless garbage. Spend a couple Saturdays at garage sales-for $100 bucks you should be able to get three or four bikes and one of them is bound to be better than a Walmart pc of crap. Nothing will turn you off biking faster than being stranded. |
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